Electrical plug and socket connection



Dec. 31, 1946.

H. w. REED ELECTRICAL PLUGVAND SOCKET CONNECTION Filed NOV. 15, 1943 INVENTOR. Ham ryBYWiZbur Reed:

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 31, 1946 ELECTRICAL PLU ram) sooner CONNECTION Harry Wilbur Reed, Cincinnati, )hiov Application November 15, 1943, Serial' -No: 510345 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in electrical connections and has for an object thereof to provide an electrical connection of the plugand receptacle type wherein the plug will make electrical connection with the socket in all angular positions thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an electrical connection of the aforesaid character designed so that the plug may be quickly and easily fitted in connecting position and will be firmly and detachably associated with the socket.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a plug and receptacle connection of the above character which is relatively simple and durable. in construction and efficient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description progresses. 4

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout:

Figure l is a view partly in longitudinal elevation and partly in section,

Figure 2 is an inner end view of the receptacle with the plug attached thereto,

Figure 3 is an end view of the plug, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing the receptacle in exterior elevation.

Referring in detail to the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred example of the invention, Ill generally designates a plug body in the form of a conoidal frustrum formed of electrical insulating material and having the reduced inner end connected with a two wire insulated conductor l I. The end face of the outer larger end of the body is formed with an annular groove I2 of rectangular cross section concentric with the plug center having tightly fitted therein a ring 13 of current conductive material also of rectangular cross section. The outer edge of the ring 13 is exposed at and may advantageously project from the end face of the plug.

A straight length of round bar current conducting material I4 is mounted so that approximately one half its length is disposed axially in the'plug body while the remaining portion protrudes outwardly of the body as shown to advantage at Figure 1. The inner end of the conducting bar I4 is flattened as indicated at I5 and connects with a wire [6 by soldering or other suitable connection. The outer end of the bar member 14 may be advantageously rounded and is 2 provided adjacentthereto with an annular groove The receptacle towhich the plug is to be connected, generally indicated :at R embodies a base plate C0l'lSt111Cted ii0f insulating, material and providedrfwith an :opening .20 designed to slidably-receive theprotruding or prong portion of the'=contactbar.zld therethrough. at its inner side the plate [9 is formed with a tubular guide sleeve. 2| having its bore in registration with the opening 20 and, in a position spaced from this sleeve, the inner side of the plate is provided with a boss 22 in which is provided a screw receiving interiorly threaded bore 23. At the opposite side of the sleeve 2! the plate is formed with an inwardly projecting tubular socket 24 interiorly threaded at its outer end as indicated at 25. The

bore of the socket 24 is in registration with and of greater diameter than an opening 25 through the plate, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

In the opening 26 is slidably fitted a contact pin 21 of conducting material formed at its inner end with an enlarged round head 28 slidable in the bore of the socket and having a diameter greater than that of the opening 26.

An exteriorly threaded bushing element 2% of conducting material, provided with an interiorly threaded screw bore is screwed into the outer end of the socket 24 and serves to maintain a coiled spring 30 of conductive material under compression within the socket between the inner end of the bushing and the head 28 of the contact pin. A binding screw 3|, which may be of conventional construction, engages the bore of the bushing 29 and connects a branch circuit wire 32 therewith.

The bore 23 disposed transversely of the receptacle plate i9 is adapted to receive therein the shank of a terminal screw 33 which extends through one apertured end of a fiat contact bar 34 of conducting material. This bar 3 is disposed so that the major length thereof extends inwardly from the boss 22 at an acute angle with the plate I9 and has an arcuately bent outer end portion 35 adapted to resiliently engage the groove id in the pron forming portion of the rod Id. The terminal screw 33 also functions to connect a branch circuit wire 36 with the inner apertured end portion of the contact bar 3t.

As illustrated at advantage at Figure l the shank of the contact pin 27 has a length substantially exceedin the thickness of the receptacle plate l9 so that the outer end thereof is yieldingly pressed to protruding position by the ing the final stages of this connection the prong V will contact with the contact bar 34 and the arcuate outer end thereof will enter the groove 35 to connect the wire l6 of the plug with the wire 36 of the branch circuit and to frictionally hold the plug in association with the receptacle. As the plug face approaches the receptacle plate 19 the ring I3 will be brought into contact with the spring pressed contact pin 21 and retract the pin against the action of the spring 30 so as to complete the circuit through the spring, the bushing 29 and the binding screw 3| to electrically join the wires 32 and 31,.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be 4 resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claim. Having thus described my invention, I claim: In an electrical connection, the combination of a plug body, a prong protruding from the outer end of the body and having its inner end con-- nected with a conductor in the plug, a contact ring fitted in a groove in the said outer end of the plug and disposed concentrically of the prong, the said contact ring being electrically connected with a second conductor in the plug and having its outer edge exposed with relation to the outer end of the plug, a receptacle plate having a passage adapted to slidably receive the prong therethrough, a groove adjacent the end of said prong, a contact bar mounted on the plate in contact ith a conductor, the outer end of the said contact bar being disposed to make resilient contact with the groove in the prong by reason of the arcuately, bent outer end portion of said bar, a contact pin mounted to slide transversely of the plate within an opening therein, a spring mounted on the plate disposed to yieldingly project the pin so that its outer end protrudes therefrom for engagement with the contact ring, and means electrically connecting the said pin with a second conductor on the receptacle.

HARRY WILBUR REED. 

